Over Your Shoulder
Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to … Read Full Bio ↴Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different. Instead, Seven Mary Three offer songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia (where the bandmates attended the College of William and Mary), Seven Mary Three signed to the Mammoth label after releasing a self-produced album, Churn, in 1994. The album -- particularly its gritty lead single, "Cumbersome" -- generated a healthy buzz in Florida, and radio stations in Orlando began devoting significant airtime to the band. Seven Mary Three relocated to the Orlando area and re-recorded their old songs, which were packaged alongside two new cuts to round out the band's proper debut, 1995's American Standard. With "Cumbersome" enjoying national success, the album went platinum and won the group a contract with Atlantic Records. Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. Neither record enjoyed as much recognition as American Standard, but the band continued to release albums into the following decade, issuing The Economy of Sound in 2001 and Dis/Location three years later. Seven Mary Three signed with New York's Icon Records in late 2007, and the following year saw the release of their sixth effort, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Over Your Shoulder
Seven Mary Three Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a mark on my back
From my last heart attack
A whiskeymouthbottleneckcardstack

There's a source, of course,
She says: It's whispering at night
Like air leaks from a tire
The truth outruns your lies (life)

If you jump track, thinkin' it's over
Remember
Sooner or later it's over your shoulder

I've got a bigmechanicmouth
It resonates with sound
A forkedmetallictongue
It's green with what it's found

Spin my head around
For a different view
You can't look straight ahead
To see what's in front of you

If you jump track, thinkin' it's over




Remember
Sooner or later it's over your shoulder

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Seven Mary Three's song "Over Your Shoulder" sets the tone for a song about coming to terms with the past and its impact on the present. The "mark on [the singer's] back" symbolizes the remnants of a painful event, likely a heartbreak, that has left a permanent mark. The following line, "A whiskeymouthbottleneckcardstack," uses a string of metaphors to add to the feeling of being overwhelmed – the singer can't get the words out of his mouth, feels cornered like a ball stuck in a bottleneck, and is afraid that everything around him is going to collapse like a stack of cards.


The second verse introduces a new character, likely a love interest, who assures the singer that the truth will out. She characterizes the truth as something that is always present, but may not be immediately visible, comparing it to the sound of air leaking from a tire. The chorus urges the listener to remember that no matter how fast they try to run from their past, it will always be "over [their] shoulder." The final verse turns inward, with the singer describing his own voice as "big" and "resonat[ing] with sound," but also "forked" and "metallic." This suggests that while the singer may have important things to say, he doesn't always feel like he's in control of his words. The final lines urge the listener to "spin [their] head around for a different view" – a nod to the idea that changing your perspective can help you move on from the past.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a mark on my back
I am carrying a constant reminder of my past struggles and failures.


From my last heart attack
I have experienced a traumatic event that still affects me deeply.


A whiskeymouthbottleneckcardstack
I am overwhelmed and suffocated by a combination of vices, circumstances, and challenges.


There's a source, of course,
There is a reason or cause behind my current situation.


She says: It's whispering at night
Someone or something is communicating with me in a subtle and ominous way.


Like air leaks from a tire
The truth or reality is escaping me slowly and steadily.


The truth outruns your lies (life)
I cannot keep lying to myself or others without facing the consequences and the truth.


If you jump track, thinkin' it's over
If you give up or try to escape your problems, thinking that they will disappear,


Remember
Keep in mind that


Sooner or later it's over your shoulder
Your past, your mistakes, and your unresolved issues will catch up with you and haunt you.


I've got a bigmechanicmouth
I tend to talk a lot, loudly, and in technical terms.


It resonates with sound
My words have an impact and a reverberation that can affect others.


A forkedmetallictongue
I have a tendency to be sarcastic, critical, or insincere in my speech.


It's green with what it's found
I am biased or colored by my own experiences, biases, or interests.


Spin my head around
I need to change my perspective or mindset to gain new insights or solutions.


For a different view
To see things from a different angle or context.


You can't look straight ahead
You cannot stay fixed on one direction or goal without ignoring other aspects or possibilities.


To see what's in front of you
To fully understand your current situation and options.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON ROSS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

andrew wolsey

One of the most underrated bands of all time.

T Downey

Too many memories with Seven Mary Three. Still one of my all time favorite bands. Should have been bigger than they were.

Dave Witthaus

This album album should have been huge. Sadly, the label, radio and retail ignored it.

mtetrick

One of my all-time favorite songs. My band used to cover this song (2005-2007 time frame) and nearly every time people would ask us about it. Wish I had written it. I hadn't thought about this song in a good while and something made it come to my mind while driving down the interstate this weekend. Thanks for posting it.

Mike Henderson

mtetrick

Pragmatist4Life

Sad that 7M3 just faded into obscurity. Over your shoulder and My My were soooooooooooooo good

Steven Hall

I've seen them 3 times, all between 1997 and 2001. I always hoped I'd see them a 4th. Such a great band.

MrErock1014

Me too

Aladdin Sane

The most underrated band in history.

peter o'brien

Very underrated song by SM3. Heard it as a kid. Remembered it ever since.

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